All photos taken using hand-held Canon Powershot A640
Dragonflies are in abundance at the moment, none more so than the species in the above photographs, the Migrant Hawker and most abundant of all, the Common Darter.
Photographing these insects can be quite frustrating as they tend to fly at the slightest disturbance. The Common Darter, though tends to return to the same perch and so, you are able to wait in readiness, camera in hand and hope that you can rattle off a few shots before the beast flies away again. That is what I was able to do with the above photos and with the Migrant Hawker, I just got lucky!
I am quite pleased with these photos, especially the Common Darter ones. I know they aren`t anything special artistically, but they are pretty sharp.
You are able to catch up with these dragonflies for a while as their flight period lasts until October and in mild autumns the Common Darter has been seen in November and in rare instances, December.
Photographing these insects can be quite frustrating as they tend to fly at the slightest disturbance. The Common Darter, though tends to return to the same perch and so, you are able to wait in readiness, camera in hand and hope that you can rattle off a few shots before the beast flies away again. That is what I was able to do with the above photos and with the Migrant Hawker, I just got lucky!
I am quite pleased with these photos, especially the Common Darter ones. I know they aren`t anything special artistically, but they are pretty sharp.
You are able to catch up with these dragonflies for a while as their flight period lasts until October and in mild autumns the Common Darter has been seen in November and in rare instances, December.
Beautiful images of your Dragons..
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful to see many thanks for sharing.
Some great images you shot there John. I haven't seen so many this year or I haven't been looking for them more likely I think.
ReplyDeleteThe Brown Hawker is always the worse one, it seems to have a very sophisticated radar system.
Hi John...very nice your photo's of the beast lol
ReplyDeleteI think they are truly amazing creatures there colors, those eyes and most of all the wings that look like a crystalline layer of micka!!
Nice..
Grace...sorry about my profile pic..as you can see only my stomach shows on some post ..like your's lol : } Need to fix that!!
With the exception of the green stripes, your Common Darters look a lot like our Ruby Meadowhawks here in the States. They are of the same genus, Sympetrum. This time of year they are all over the place.
ReplyDeleteThe creases in the wings on the final photo show up very well. I find the same here John. Hawkers are for ever on the move and the Darters have favourite landing sites.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics John, they can be very difficult, I've struggled to get any dragons lately :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Andrew,
ReplyDeleteThe pleasue is mine!
J
Hi Roy,
ReplyDeleteMany thanks. I have seen quite a few dragons just lately, although earlier in the year they were very few and far between!
J
Many thanks Grace,
ReplyDeleteYour photo looks like one from the old days when peoples heads and other bits were missing when you got the film developed (film, remember that!)
J
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteYes, these dragons are very active and apparent at this time of year. We have them perching on our washing line in the back garden!
J
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteThankyou. It does get quite frustrating when you get them in frame for that `perfect` shot and they fly! I have been known to say `bother` or something like that!
J
Hi Alan,
ReplyDeleteThankyou very much. There seems to be a few around here, but as I said, only the common species!
J
Wonderful shots--know just what you mean about standing, waiting, hoping they'll come back to the same perch! Last night, they were swarming the skies here. Don't know what sort--trying to photograph them in recent years was the way I learned there are so many different dragonflies. I have yet to learn their names. I wonder if the ones you note are in evidence over here?
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteThankyou for those kind words. Today, the sky was full with Common Darters, we had a bit of sun for a change and they were making the most of it! I am a mere novice when it comes to dragonflies and damselflies, we only have 39 resident species with 13 migrants, but I am yet to get my head around them all! As far as these 2 occuring in the States, I am not too sure, I know the same genus occurs, just not sure about the species?!
J